Rivercat96

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Just started brewing yesterday and was given a 20q aluminum pot that I used for the first time yesterday. Is there a problem with using aluminum as far as it affecting the tast of the beer or any chemical reactions?? I used a plastic brewing spoon and do not plan on using any steel wool type scrub pads on it for cleaning. Should I bite the bullet and buy a stainless steel pot?

Fingers

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That time of the week already, is it?

This topic comes up all the time. Short answer is that your aluminum pot will be just fine although a bit small unless you're doing partial boils. The longer answer is to do a search on this topic. You'll find MANY discussions on this and while you'll get dissenting views most agree that aluminum is okay. It's what I use.

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Rivercat96

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Thanx for the reply, new to the forum and didn't know this was such a hot topic. I'll do a search next time around.

Fingers

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Not a problem. Welcome aboard. We're glad to have you.

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If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

bigben

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Well, Im about to buy a 40qt Aluminum pot so I can start All-Grain brews.

I can get a good 40qt Aluminum pot for about $50. A 40qt SS pot is much much more...I just cant spend the money on it now.

Rivercat96

Recipes 

Bigben, my thoughts exactly. I did get some good advice from the local brew shop the other day, I guess if you wash your pot with steel wool you can scar it and these areas may harbor bacteria?? That's the only drawback that I've heard so far.

BlindLemonLars

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Bacteria are not an issue in a brewpot, after all you're going to boil your wort in it for an extended period of time.

Scratches in a fermenter...now THAT'S a different matter.

FSR402

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44Qt stainless for $81.

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malkore

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really the biggest issue with an aluminmum brewpot is taking care of it. its a softer metal...easier to dent.

gotta be careful about putting a spigot/valve on an aluminum pot too as the walls are thin, they can warp as you open and close the valve if you don't reinforce the fitting with some stainless steel washers.

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Malkore
Primary: English Mild
On tap: Pale Ale, Lancelot's Wheat, English Brown Ale, Steam Beer, HoovNuts IPA
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bradsul

Recipes 

That mostly depends on the gauge of the aluminum. My kettle is a 40QT restaurant grade aluminum pot and the sidewalls and bottom are 3/16".

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Brad
Canadian Brewers Unite!

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